Adjustable swivel mechanism



Feb. l, 1966 .1. A. MEHR ADJUSTABLE SWIVEL MECHANISM 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1963 FIG. 3

INVENTOR MEHR JACOB A FlG.

ATTORNEYS Feb. l, 1966 J. A. MEHR ADJUSTABLE SWIVEL MECHANISM 2 Shees-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1965 INVENTOR JACOB A. MEHR ATTORN EYS United States Patent O 3,232649 ADJUSTABLE SWIVEL MECHANISM Jacob A. Mehr, Kirkwood, Mo., assignor to Dazor Manufacturing Corp. St. Louis, Mo. a corporatlon 01 Delaware Fileti Sept. 23, 1963, Set. N0. 310,733 3 Claims. (Cl. 287-14) This invention relates generally to improvements in an adjustable swivel mechanism, and more particularly to improvements for selectively latching or unlatching a swivel incident to adjusting the angular position of such swivel.

It is an important objective to realize a swivel mechanism that can be advantageously utilized in a wide variety of items for mounting a swinging arm, as for example, in a lamp in which the arm can be conveniently adjusted to locate the light at a desired osition.

An important object is provided by a locking means that is selectively engageable with a rotatively mounted swivel to retain the swivel in any of a plurality of angular positions, and an actuating means that operates to move the locking means into or out of eifective latching engagement with the swivel.

Another important object is achieved by the structural arrangement of the locking means relative to the mounting base and swivel which guides the locking rneans in its movernent toward and away from the swivel, assures positive latching engagement With the swivel, maintains assembly of the component parts, and provides a stable r'otative mounting for the swivel.

Still another important object is afiorded by the provision of a follower on the locking element and of a cam on the actuating arm engageable With the follower so as to urge the locking element selectively toward or away from the swivel incident to causing respectively engagement or disengagement of the teeth interconnecting the locking element and swivel. Upon operative engagement, the swivel is retained in a predeterrnined position, and upon operative disengagement the swivel is released for adjustment on its angular position.

An important object is realized by separate sets of teeth on the swivel, each set being adapted to coact With a separate and independent locking element. The teeth of one set of swivel teeth are angularly displaced relative to the other set so that the teetl1 of one locking element are aligned and engaged While the teeth of the other locking element are misaligned and disengaged, thereby obtaining greater accuracy and selection in the angular position of the swivel.

Another important object is achieved by the provision of a pair of laterally spacecl brackets that rotatively mount the swivel, a pair of locking elements disposed adjacent and inside of such brackets, and an actuating arm between the locking elements and operatively comnected th rewith to hold the locking elements in assembly With the brackets and to actuate the locking elements incident to positioning the swivel.

Yet another important object is afiorded by the structural arrangernent of cooperating grooves in the mounting brackets and each associated locking element which are adapted to receive a cornpression coil spring, the spring holding the locking element in assernbly With the bracket, tending to urge the locking element toward and into Engagement with the swivel, and guiding the locking element in its latching and unlatching action.

An irnportant objective is provided by the specific structural connection of the locking elements With the actuating arm and with the swivel, so that effective actuation and latching cf the locking elements is achieved.

lt is an important object to provicle an adjustable swivel mechanism that is simple and duraole in construc- 3,23Z649 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 tion, economical to manufacture and assemble, highly efficient in Operation, and which can be readily manipulated by any one witl1 only a minirnum of instmction.

The foregoing and numerous other 0bjects and advantages of the invention Will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable swivel mechanism enclosed in its housing;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view as seen along line 22 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view as seen along staggered line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the angular displacernent of the two sets of swivel teeth;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the unit of FIG. 1 with the housing partially out away to show the internal swivel mechanism, and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating the movable parts of the swivel mechanism.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, and first to FIG. l, it Will be noted that the base unit generally indicated at 10 includes a housing that consists of a bottom section 11 and a separable top se'ction 12. A plurality of screws 13, shown best in FIG. 3, hold the bottom and top sections 11 and 12 together.

Because the-base unit 10 is utilized as a component part of a lamp or the like, it is advantageous to provide a fastening means for anchoring the base unit 10 securely to a supporting structure such as a table 01' desk. This fastening rneans includes a pair of screws 14 detachably connected to and depending from opposite ends of the bottom housing 11. A clamp 15 is slidably mounted on each of the screws 14 the clamp 15 being adapted to engage the underside of a supporting surface. Threadedly attached to each screw 14 is a Wing I1llt 16 that is adapted to adjust the position of the clamp 15 axially along screw 14 incident to clarnping the base unit securely 011 the supporting surface. At times, an alternative mounting means is used. For example, the base unit 10 can be screwed directly to the suitable surface. Under these circumstances, the screws 14 are removed, and the base unit 10 is fixed in place by passing screws (not shown) through the coacting screw mountings 18 located at each end of the unit 10.

The lower housing section 11 includes a bottom wall 17. Extending upwardly from the bottom Wall 17 are a pair of laterally spaced brackets 20 arranged in substantially parallel relation as is best seen in FIG. 5. Bach bracket 20 includes an inturned upper ledge 21. The ledges 21 extend toward and face each other. Formed in the top side of each ledge 21 is an arcuate bearing surface 22, As Will be explained, the underside 01 the ledge 21 forms a bearing surface also.

Each 0f the brackets 20 is provided With a vertical groove 23 extending frorn the bottom Wall 17 to and through the associated ledge 21. The bracket grooves 23 are arranged in opposed, facing relation. While only one of the bracket grooves 23 is illustrated in FIG. 6, it will be apparent that the opposite bracket 20 is provided With a similar groove. The purpose and function of the bracket grooves 23 Will be apparent upon later description of parts.

The swivel generally indicated at 24 includes a substantially cylindrical body 25 having reduced end portions 26. Bach of the reduced end portions 26 is provided With a peripheral bearing surface 27.

In assembly, the swivel 24 extends between the base brackets 20 With the end bearing surfaces 27 seated in the arcuate bearing surfaces 22. It Will be noted that hanging ledge 21.

the relatively enlarged intermediate portion f body extends downwardly beside the bracket ledges 21. Secured to the intermediate portion 0f swivel body 25 is atubular arm 30. Another arm (not shown) such as a supporting lamp arm can be convenienfly am! easily attached to ehe tubular swivel arm 33. The angular position of the Iamp arm can be adjusted by turning the swivel 24 about its rotative azds. As suggested in FIG. 2, the swivel 24 can be moved from a positi0n in which the tubulaparm is in its fully upright position as shown in fuil 1ines to a position in which the tubular arm 39 is inits horizonial osition as indicated in broken lines.

The intermediate portion of swivel body 25 is provided With a slot 31 in its bottom side which com- 'municates-With the interior of tubular arm 30. Because the base unit 10 is advantageously-utilizedwith a 1amp, a cordor fixture wire (not shown) can be exten'ded upwardly through the swivel slot 3-1, through thetubvlar arm 30, and hence through the Iamp arm for conncction to a socket.

The swivel body 25 is provided with two sets of angularly spaced peripheral teeth 32 and 33, one set of -teeth 32 being located closely adjacent one reduced end 26 and closely adjacent one of the bracket ledges 21, while theother set -of teeth 33 is located close1y adjacent the opposite swivel end 26 and adjacent the etherbracket ledge -21. Forreasons which will appear, the set of teeth 32 are angularly displaced relative to the other Set cf teeth 33, as is clearly shown in FIG. 4.

A pair of -locking elements 34 and 35 are disposed between the brackets 20. Marc particularly, each of the locking elemens 34 and 35 is located-closely adjacent one cf the brackets 29 underneath'the associated ever- The 1ocking elements 34 and 35 are identical in construction.

Forexample, eachof the locking elements 34 and 35 includes a rearwardly projecting top shoulder 36 that is adapted to interfit slidably the associated bracket groove 23. Moreover, the rear side cf each lecking element 34 and 35 is provided With a vertical groove 37 that is aligned with an associated bracket groove 23.

A compression coil spring is located*in the aligned locking element groove 37 and-bracket groove 23, one end of the spring 40 engaging 'the shoulder 36 and tending to urge the associated locking element in a direction toward the swivel 24. The interconnection of the spring 40 with boih locking element and bracket 23 resulting from the .placement in the aligned grooves 37 and 23, and the intercennection of the shoulder 36 in the bracket groove 23, guides the locking element in its movement toward 0r away from the swivel, and tends to hold the locking-element in assembly with the assox:iated bracket 20.

Bach of the locking elements 34 and 35 is provided With an inwardly projecting follower 41. As is shown in FIG. 7, the follower4l is constructed in a symmetrical triangular shape in order that the locking elements can be used interchangably on either the 1eft or right band side of the swivel unit.

Spaced above the follower 41, each of the locking elements 34 and 35 is provided with a projeetion 42. The projection 42 of locking element 34 is provided With teeth 43 adapted to mesh With the set .of swivel teeth 32 when the locking element 34 is raised in its operative position into engagement With the swivel body 25 and when the swivel 24 is angularly located to align the coacting teeth 43 and 32. The projection 42 of -the other locking e1ement 35 is provided with teeth 44 that are adapted to engage and mesh With the other set 0f swivel teeth 33 when such locking element 35 is moved upwardly toward the swivel 24, and when the swivel 24 is turned to align these teeth.

The actuating *means includes an arm 45 slidably mounted in -a-eornpatible groove 46 forrned in the upper surface of the bottomwall 17 of the lower housing-Secti0n 11. The outer end of arm 45 is provided With an upturned tab 47 that -extends outwardly of the housing s-ection 11. The tab 47 can be easy gripped to move the arm 45 reciprocatively in its groove 46 incident t0 actuating the locking elements 34 and 35.

The opposite end cf arm 45 is provided with a pair 0f 1aeraliy spacedhooks 50 that fit between the locking elements34 and 35 and fit over the followers 41. lt will be noted that the hooks 53 ahnt the inside of the locking elements 34 and 35 and hold such locking elements against the brackets 20, and hence hold the locking elements in assembly. Bach of the hooks 50 is provided with a cam 51 adapted to engage one of the followers 41 of the lceking element 34 and 35.

It is thought that the operation and functional results of the swivel mechanism have become fully apparent of the foregoing-detaileddescription of parts, but for completeness 0f disclosure the latching and unlatching action willbe briefly described.

It will be assumed that all cf the parts are assembled as explained previously and as shown in the drawings, and hat the swivel 24 is angularly-disposed -With the tubular arm 30 in a vertical position as is shown in fu1l lines in FIG. 2. In this osition, the locking element te'eth 43 operatively engaged the Set of swivel teeth 32 to latch the -swivel 24 in a predetermined angular positi0n. However, the locking 'elernent teeth 44, while abutting the swivel body 25, do not mesh With the other sei of swivel teeth 33 in view of the relative angular displacement of these sets cf swivel teeth. T0 raise the locking elements 34 and 35 t-o their uppermost limit to provide 'latching of the swivel 24, the actuating arm 45 is moved outwardly to the position shown in FIG. -2, which allows the followers 41 to ride up 0n the cams 511 under the resilient loading cf springs 4.

If it is desired tb adjust the angular osition cf swivel 24 t0 another predetermined location, as is necessary. in changing the position cf *a light carried by the tubular arm 36, Ehe actuating arm 45 is pushed inwardly by a force exerted. on tab 47. The movement of arm 45 is guided by the Chann-el 46 in bottorn Wall 17. A-s the arm 45 is moved inwardly, the cams 51 formed 011 the hooks 549 slidably engage the followers 41 and urge the locking elements 34 and 35 downwardly in a direction away from the swivel 24. When the locking elements 34 and 35 move downwardly the teeth 43 of the locking eiement 34 operatively disengages from the set 05 swivel teeth 32. Of course', it will be understood that the locking elemnts 34 and 35 move downwardly against the compressive loading of springs 40. The swive1 24 is now released for turhing.movement.

The swivel 24 is then turned to the desird angular position, as for example turned degrees so that the tubular member 30 assumes the horizontai position shown by broken line5 in FIG. 2. Then, the actuating arm 45 is pulled*outwardly by a force exe1ced on tab 47. As the actuating arm 45 moves outwardly, the followers 41 of both locking elements 34 and 35 ride upwardly along thecams 51 under the loading 0f springs 40. The teeth 43 or 44 or one of the locking elements 34 or 35 respectively Will be aligned With one of the sets of swivel teeth, either 32 01' 33. When turned a full 90 degrees, the teeth 43 cf locking element 34 will again be aligned With the sei of swivel teeth 32. If the adjustment of swivel 24 was slightly less than 90 degrees it would be possible for teeth 44 Of locking element 35 to be aligned operatively with the set of swivel teeth 3-3. The a1ighed teeth 43-32 er 44-33 Wil1 mesh and latch the swivel 24 in the adjusted angular osition.

The top hcusing section 12 is provided with an opening 52 through which the intermediate swivel body 25 and the tubular member 30 extend. Tl1e contour ef the top housing seetion 12 is rounded to conform With the cylindrical periphery of the awivel 24 to provide a Q0111;-

tinuous even surface. The peripheral margin of the opening 52 ricles on the bearing surfaces 27 at each swivel end 26 in order to provide a secure mounting.

Although the invention has been described by making' details reference t0 a single preferred ernbodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many Variants being possible Within the scope of the clairns hereinto appended.

1 claim as my invention:

1. An adjustable swivel mechanism comprising:

(a) a base including laterally spaced brackets,

(b) a swivel extending between the brackets and rotetively supportecl on the orackets,

(c) the swivel being provided With separate sets of angularly spaced peripheral teeth, one set of teetl1 being displaced angularly relative to the other set,

(d) 21 pair of locking elements, each locking element being provided With teeth engageable with one set of swivel teeth,

(e) means guiding the locking elements toward er away frorn the swivel incident to latching and unlatching, and

(f) actuating means connected to the locking elements tending to move the locking elements into or out of effective latching engagernent with the swivel,

g) the teeth of one locking element operatively engaging one set of swivel teeth while the teeth of the other locking element are operatively disengaged because 01 the relative angular displacement of the two sets of swivel teeth.

2. An adjustable swivel mechanisrn comprising:

(a) a base including laterally spaced brackets,

(b) a swivel extending between said brackets and rotatively supported 011 said brackets, said swivel being provided with separate sets of angularly spaced peripheral teeth located inside of said brackets, one set of teeth being displaced angularly relative to the other set,

(c) a pair of locking elements disposed between said brackets, one of said locking elements being located closely adjacent each bracket, each locking element being provided with teeth adapted t0 engage one set of swivel teeth,

(d) guide means interconnecting the locking elements with the brackets for movement of the locking elements toward or away from said swivel, and

(e) actuating means between said locking elements tending to move the locking elements into or out cf eflective latching engagement with said swivel,

the teeth of one locking element operatively engaging one set of swive1 teeth While the teeth of the other locking element is operatively disengaged because of the relative angular displacement of the two sets of swivel teeth.

3. An adjustable swivel mechanism cornprising:

(a) a base including a pair of laterally spaced brackets, said brackets having relatively in-turned ledges, said ledges being provided Witl1 arcuate bearing surfaces,

(b) a swivel extending between said brackets, said swivel having reduced ends rotatively mounted on said bearing surfaces, said swivel being provided with two sets of angularly spaced peripheral teeth, one set being located adjacent each of the reduoed ends and located between said brackets.

(c) a pair of locking elements disposed between saicl brackets, one of said locking elements being located closely adjacent each bracket below its ledge, eacl1 locking element being provided Witn teeth adapted t0 engage one set of swivel teeth,

(d) resilient means tending to urge said locking elen1ents into locking engagernent with said swivel,

(e) the two sets 0f swivel teeth being relatively displaced angularly so that the teeth of one locking element operatively engages one set of swivel teeth while the teeth of the other locking element are operatively disengaged frorn the other set of swivel teeth,

(f) means interconnecting each locking element with its associated bracket ancl guiding said locking element in its rnovement toward or away from said swivel, and

(g) actuating means between said locking elements selectively camrning said locking elements out of latching engagernent to release said swivel for angular adjustment.

References Cited by the Examina UNITED STATES PATENTS 772,293 10/1904 Reese 28799 1538477 5/1925 Epstein 248 1580358 4/1926 Wright 248185 2739778 3/1956 Krone 285-184 X 2790617 4/1957 Harland 248-183 2812961 11/1957 Brown 287-99 X CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

THOMAS F. CALLAGHAN, Examina. 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE SWIVEL MECHANISM COMPRISING: (A) A BASE INCLUDING LATERALLY SPACED BRACKETS, (B) A SWIVEL EXTENDING BETWEEN THE BRACKETS AND ROTATIVELY SUPPORTED ON THE BRACKETS, (C) THE SWIVEL BEING PROVIDED WITH SEPARATE SETS OF ANGULARLY SPACED PERIPHERAL TEETH, ONE SET OF TEETH BEING DISPLACED ANGULARLY RELATIVE TO THE OTHER SET, (D) A PAIR OF LOCKING ELEMENTS, EACH LOCKING ELEMENT BEING PROVIDED WITH TEETH ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE SET OF SWIVEL TEETH, (E) MEANS GUIDING THE LOCKING ELEMENTS TOWARD OR AWAY FROM THE SWIVEL INCIDENT TO LATCHING AND UNLATCHING, AND (F) ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE LOCKING ELEMENTS TENDING TO MOVE THE LOCKING ELEMENTS INTO OR OUT OF EFFECTIVE LATCHING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SWIVEL, (G) THE TEETH OF ONE LOCKING ELEMENT OPERATIVELY ENGAGING ONE SET OF SWIVEL TEETH WHILE THE TEETH OF THE OTHER LOCKING ELEMENT ARE OPERATIVELY DISENGAGED BECAUSE OF THE RELATIVE ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT OF THE TWO SETS OF SWIVEL TEETH. 